A new report by the Pew Center on Global Climate Change, Observed Impacts of Global Climate Change in the U.S., by Camille Parmesan of The University of Texas-Austin and Hector Galbraith of Galbraith Environmental Sciences and the University of Colorado-Boulder, reviews the broad range of ecological changes that have occurred in response to human induced changes in the global and U.S. climate.

GLOBAL WARMING IN THE ARCTIC

New research on the effects of global warming on the Arctic has been released recently. Why is the arctic warming faster than the rest of the world? What will the impacts on the United States be? Is Alaska already being affected? Get the answers to these frequently asked questions on the Arctic and global warming.

BEYOND KYOTO

With Russia's ratification of the Kyoto Protocol, this landmark agreement will enter into force in early 2005. What are the implications for Russia and the rest of the world? How should we strengthen international climate efforts beyond 2012? Learn more about six core issues in negotiating an effective long-term agreement.

THE INTERNATIONAL POLICY FRAMEWORK FOR CLIMATE CHANGE AND BUSINESS

Eileen Claussen recently spoke at the Australia-New Zealand Conference and Trade Expo. Her message was that the time has come for business and government to begin serious planning for the risks and opportunities of climate change. She outlined four requirements that national and international governments need to provide in order to engage the business community in this effort. Read the speech.

NEW ACTION AT THE STATE LEVEL

States are taking action to reduce GHG emissions:

Colorado voters approved a ballot initiative creating a Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) for utilities that provide service to over 40,000 customers. Those utilities must provide an increasing percentage of electricity from renewables, reaching 10 percent by 2015. Colorado is the 18th state to adopt an RPS, but the first state to have the program voted in by citizens (November 2004)